NBA Star Jason Collins Talks About His Biggest Influence

TIME 100 honoree Jason Collins, who made history as the first openly gay player to see action in the NBA, is constantly pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an advocate for LGBT rights.

“One goal that I have attained in my life that I’m very proud of is to have a positive impact on someone else’s life,” Collins told TIME. “Hopefully my actions will make it easier for them to live their life, to be whoever they want to be.”

A trailblazer himself, Collins looks up to athletes like Czech-American tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who came out as gay in 1981, as one of the biggest influences in his career.